I have this 104 pin breakout box. Instead of EEC-V is says "enhanced" EEC 104 pin breakout box. Some of the terminals are sealed off. From what I have read the standard Ford EEC-V breakout box is Rotunda part #014-00950 which is different than mine, which appears to be made by Debron. Anyone know if this will work on our trucks?

 

here's a better pic that won't hurt your neck

 

checking the pin diagram for our PCM I can see that all the labeled pins on the breakout box correspond correctly to the PCM. The yellow one corresponds to vref and the green one to sensor return. The filled/blocked pins are not used on our PCMs.

 

If all else fails, grab the diagram and relabel anything that doesn't correspond - they're all pin numbers.

 

A.) How useful is it to have one of these? I ask because when I inquired at my local Ford dealer, about having them use a breakout box to thoroughly diagnose/test my engine wire harness, their 7.3L "guru" laughed and said no one in the shop has owned or used B.O.B's on anything in YEARS. He further stated that they just test one pin at a time, if needed. So, if Ford techs don't use them, does that say something about their diagnostic value? (ie, are they prone to false/bad test data?)

B.) If it is worth having, what should one expect to pay for one? (Used, of course.)

C.) Is there an aftermarket version/specific part# that will work on these 7.3L trucks? I see OTC, and probably others, make or made various breakout boxes, including a number of part#'s that state universal and/or EEC-IV

 

I think it can be a little difficult to probe pins on the PCM and connector and make sure you are on the correct one etc. I think the breakout box makes it easier and faster without risk of connector damage. Plus you can test with everything connected.


Used 104 pin ones are going for around $200 on ebay, I lucked out a few years ago and got mine shipped to my door for $26. The listing was mis-spelled and I was the only bidder. For $26 it won't matter if I ever need it or not.


As far as aftermarket, I believe that's what I have (Debron). The official ones manufactured for Ford were Rotunda. OTC tools may be cheaper which is crazy because both Rotunda and OTC are made by SPX which is owned by Bosch.

 

While I agree a B.O.B. may have been silly for the techs way back when, but our trucks will be doing more and more strange stuff in the years to come (see this [LINK]). The one B.O.B. I could have used for the last three years would be the injector switch box.

 

There are several guys who have made one out of bone yard harnesses

 

So, with this connected, I could read/intercept actual signals from various sensors with the engine running? Specifically, I'm looking for an intermittent "glitch" in the cam sensor signal and/or the 5v reference signal to all the sensors. Can I simply monitor that with a voltmeter, using the breakout box, without disturbing the ecm?


Yeah, that was a killer deal. If I found one for $26, I wouldn't hesitate either. It would be worth it even if it was just to have as a piece of automotive history. Its a shame how many of the old tools and test equipment just gets trashed. It will only make it that much harder to maintain/repair tomorrows "classics" Some of these "funky" low production and/or model specific tools, once gone, will never be able to be recreated.


Huh. I didn't know Bosch made OTC. That explains the insane prices on much of their stuff. You would think they would make this stuff more affordable , for the shadetree mechanic; as they would sell a lot more volume. I could understand high prices, for a model or manufacturer specific tool, when the relevant vehicle is new-ish, and under warranty, but once it becomes old enough that it is more likely to be serviced by DIYers or small local shops, then price the tools within reach of that market. Even if they had to lower the quality a little from the professional "Rotunda" line (less fancy cases, thinner/lighter materials), it would still be a big hit with the public. As an example, it would be better to sell 100 units at $10.00 profit, then 10 units at $30 profit

Many of the OTC universal ones I saw were only 80 pin, with a 60-pin Ford EEC-IV adapter (170 pin total). Would these work with Powerstroke/SuperDuty?

 

No, I don't think so, you need a 104 pin connector for EEC-V. EEC-IV was a generation before ours